Method of making thigh sockets



April 3, 1934. J. J. MCCANN 1,953,421

METHOD OF MAKING THIGH SOCKETS Filed May 2, 1952 WITNESS: INVEN TOR K? Jmhn p t E arm BY M 4/ dam ms AT'TORIIIIEY Patented Apr. 3, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2 Claims.

This invention relates to thigh sockets and method of making, and has for an object to produce an improved thigh socket spun from an integral sheet of metal.

A further object of the invention is to provide a thigh socket which is spun from an integral sheet of metal to a form approximating the completed socket, and after spinning, working the spun member to the desired contour over and upon a form or mandrel.

A further object of the invention is to first spin a sheet of metal to an approximate socket form, work the spun member to the desired contour over a form, and sink knee bolt bosses into the sides of the contoured form.

A further object of the invention is to employ a member spun from a sheet of integral metal to approximate the socket form required, working the member over a form to the contour required,

sawing the contoured form at the posterior of the knee position, and. turning in the edges thus sawed to form a strap slot.

The invention therefore comprises the thigh socket and method of making which comprises 5 spinning a sheet of metal on a spinning lathe to a form approximating the completed socket required, then inserting a form into the spun member and working the spun member to the form, sinking knee bolt bosses into the sides of the contoured member, sawing the member at the posterior and turning inwardly the edges thus sawed, forrm'ng a strap slot in the posterior and adjacent to the knee joint.

The drawing illustrates an embodiment of the invention and the views therein are as follows:

Figure 1 is a view of a spun member as it leaves the spinning lathe,

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation, either of the form or of the spun member after being worked to the form,

Figure 3 is a view of the member as indicated by arrow 3 at Figure 2, showing the slot formed in the posterior by sawing and inturning the edges,

' Figure 4 is an end view as indicated by arrow 4 at Figure 3,

Figure 5 is artransverse sectional view, taken on line 55 of Figure 3, and

Figure 6 is a detail side elevation of the knee joint boss, the position being indicated by arrow 6 at Figure 4.

Like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

In making the present thigh socket, a sheet of ductile metal is spun in a lathe in the usual well known manner by the application thereto by a burnishing tool. The spinning is carried on until the member assumes a form approximating the required socket, both as to taper and diameter as shown at 10. Preferably, this will be formed with a rounded end 11 at the starting of the spinning.

After the member is spun to the approximate contour, a form is employed which is inserted into this spun member. At Figure 2, 12 represents such a form or represents the spun member after the form has been inserted, and certain parts of the ductile metal worked down to form. This will include the working inwardly of the parts 13 which will accommodate the knee joint, and a part 14 which will be at the posterior.

After such member has been worked to the form, which may be done by pressing, hammering, or any approved means, bosses 15 are sunk in the sides to form a knee joint. These bosses 15 will exactly fit the cap members 16 which are inserted into these bosses by pressure and remain therein by frictional engagement. The knee bolt 17 of a known type can be employed in conjunction with these bosses and caps. The knee bolt 17, however per se, does not enter into the method of forming this socket.

At the posterior of the thus far completed device, a strap slot is formed by sawing or otherwise severing the contoured member along a posterior median line and turning in the edges as indicated at 18. These inturned edges will be entirely around the cut thus formed by the sawing so as to form a smooth surface for the strap which is inserted therethro-ugh for controlling the joint in the customary manner.

It is obvious, of course, that the socket will be 7 contoured diiferently in different cases to meet the requirements of individual amputations, although much may be standardized as for instance, the form approximating the knee bosses for receiving the caps 16 and the strap slot.

The advantage of such a socket is, of course, its rigidity considering the amount of material which enters into it owing to thefact that it is an integrally spun member without scams or joinings, also the economy of manufacture, such spinning and subsequent working as is necessary to produce the socket being economically carried out.

Of course, the thigh socket and method of making, herein illustrated, may be modified and changed in various ways without departing from the invention herein set forth and hereinafter claimed. 7

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

sisting in spinning from a sheet of metal a member approximating the ultimate proportions, working the spun member over a form to an analogy of the human leg, sawing along a posterior median line and inturning sections thus produced to form a strap slot having said sections as parallel walls.

JOHN J. McCANN. 

